*Mild* setup suggestions?

Hi all,

First post. Owner and lover of a 2003 4x4 xtra cab 3.4.

However, the suspension is stock, and I've noticed that over time it seems.. flatter? It's always hitting the bump-stops, and seems to have nearly *zero* travel. Do these trucks' stock suspension get pretty crappy over time?

I know a bit about suspension setups for sporty driving, but am sort of new to off-road setups.

The reason I say I want "mild," is this is a work truck. I am a broadcast engineer so I do go off-road, but 99% of my driving is on the highway, so am not looking for major changes to center-of-gravity or handling.

So- does it need new leaf springs, or to have the leaf springs fixed?

I put adjustable Bilstien 5100's on it last year, which made no difference. Of course shocks won't change travel; just the character of absorption within a range.

I wouldn't mind a slight lift over stock (an inch or so), but mainly I'm looking to get some wheel travel while keeping the handling "good" on-road.

(Going back to Wrangler Silent Armors after finally wearing out the awful Pirelli Scorpions. Stock steel wheels).

Suggestions for setups with ball-park cost? The engine has 276,000 miles on it so I was reluctant to sink a lot of $, but.. it's a toyota and I do regular service and oil changes so I hope it will go a lot further... we are joined at the hip.

*edit* I live close to Carolina Truggies, which does extreme builds/ fabrication for all types of off-road vehicles, but figured I'd get some opinions on here too.

Thanks,

Steve

 

So with your front bilstein 5100s, you left them on the bottom/stock setting?

Your best bet would be to run a set of the OME 881 coils on those front Bilsteins you got. Out back you will probably need to replace the leaf springs, and also upgrade to a set of the 5100s in the rear as well.

 

That's correct, just threw on the 5100's and all else is the same.

Sounds good, thanks!